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Suggest Treatment For Dry Cough, Cold And Post Nasal Drip
Posted on
Thu, 6 Aug 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 6 Aug 2015
Answered on
Wed, 2 Sep 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello- I tend to get a dry cough each winter, comes after a cold typically and lasts for approx 3 months. This year it ended in March, but about a month ago I had another cold and a dry, tickly cough has stayed with me for the last 4 weeks. My ENT gave me a nasal steroid about a week ago, but that has not made any difference. I am a hypochondriac and worried about lung cancer. 34 Years old, male never smoked. I also have GERD and occasionally take Protonix.
Brief Answer:
post nasal drip is the most common cause for chronic cough
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned but the most common cause for chronic cough is post nasal drip.
This can be confirmed by a search if you wish.
In some persons, the drip itself may not be noticeable.
The other common causes are: GERD and asthma.
Lung cancer can cause persistent coughing but it is not as common as the three mentioned above particularly if there is no history of smoking.
The reason for the nasal spray[ is to treat post nasal drip if present. It can take a few weeks for the spray to take effect so you should use it consistently for at least 3 weeks.
Post nasal drip is most commonly in response to an allergen.
I had a patient whose drip occurred with bananas, she was allergic to this fruit.
It can occur to other foods/drinks, dust, pollen, animal dander etc
If exposure to the allergen can be reduced , this can also help with the drip and the cough.
It is also possible that the reflux is contributing to the cough as well. Any lifestyle measures along with the protonix would be helpful.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask nay other questions
post nasal drip is the most common cause for chronic cough
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned but the most common cause for chronic cough is post nasal drip.
This can be confirmed by a search if you wish.
In some persons, the drip itself may not be noticeable.
The other common causes are: GERD and asthma.
Lung cancer can cause persistent coughing but it is not as common as the three mentioned above particularly if there is no history of smoking.
The reason for the nasal spray[ is to treat post nasal drip if present. It can take a few weeks for the spray to take effect so you should use it consistently for at least 3 weeks.
Post nasal drip is most commonly in response to an allergen.
I had a patient whose drip occurred with bananas, she was allergic to this fruit.
It can occur to other foods/drinks, dust, pollen, animal dander etc
If exposure to the allergen can be reduced , this can also help with the drip and the cough.
It is also possible that the reflux is contributing to the cough as well. Any lifestyle measures along with the protonix would be helpful.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask nay other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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